CHARLESTON, Ill. (Interstat) — SIU Edwardsville and Eastern Illinois conclude a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series Sunday at Coaches Stadium at Monier Field. First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon, with the forecast calling for 73-degree temperatures and cloudy skies.

The Cougars (29-21) have won the first two games of the series, including a 16-4 rout Saturday and a 3-2 victory Friday. A sweep would strengthen SIUE’s positioning in the OVC standings.

Right-hander Spencer Stearns is scheduled to start for SIUE. Stearns (4-3) has been effective in his last two outings, allowing one earned run in six innings of a win over Eastern Illinois on Friday, and one earned run in seven innings of a win over Lindenwood on May 2. His season has been erratic, however; he was tagged for seven earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in a loss at Western Illinois on April 18.

Eastern Illinois (28-17) will counter with left-hander Tyler Conklin. Conklin (5-3) took the loss Friday despite a solid outing, allowing two earned runs on four hits over seven innings. He has given up five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of a win at Tennessee-Martin on April 24, but also three earned runs in six innings of a win against Southeast Missouri State on May 1.

The Panthers are looking to avoid a sweep and build momentum before a road trip to Illinois State on Tuesday. SIUE faces Southern Illinois on Tuesday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 final score in favor of Eastern Illinois, while its ELO system gives the Panthers a 53.2 percent probability of victory.